Austin, Texas has an overall cost of living index of 98.3, which is 1.7 points below the US average of 100 — making it about average versus most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,729 per month, while the typical home is valued around $555,300. Households earn a median of $93,658 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is moderate, with an average AQI of 65. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$93,658
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,729
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$555,300
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
98.3
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,474
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,562
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,852
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,347
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
98.3
Goods
92.9
Rents / Housing
126.4
Services
89.2
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $139,390 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $93,060 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $59,000 |
| ⚡Electrician | $58,740 |
| 📊Accountant | $91,920 |
| 🔧Plumber | $64,210 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $291,680 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $104,250 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $141,810 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $88,270 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $127,550 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $58,240 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $141,730 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
979,539
Latest estimate
Median Age
34.7 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
65.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$2,071
Per month
Avg Home Value
$893,740
Census ACS
January Avg
52°F
July Avg
85°F
Sunny Days / Year
244
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Temperate · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
30.4
poor
Hospitals
15
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
87.6%
What is the cost of living index for Austin?
Austin has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 98.3. The US national average is 100, so Austin is 1.7 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Austin?
The median gross rent in Austin is $1,729 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Austin?
The median household income in Austin is $93,658 per year.
What is the median home value in Austin?
The median home value in Austin is $555,300 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Austin?
Austin has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 65.0, which is rated "Moderate" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Austin?
Tax data for Texas is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
